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| A traditional “solar” monstrance. Some will feel strongly that our use of this image is inappropriate because of the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching of transub- stantiation. However, our position of consubstantiation does main- tain the Real Presence of the flesh of Christ “with” the bread, once the bread is blessed. The author has chosen this image (exactly because of its audaciousness) to demonstrate the biblical correctness of employing the sun as a symbol of the Son of God. (Malachi 4:2; John 1:4-7; 8:12.) |
(Excerpted from author's book: "Apologia, A Defense of Christian Sacred Days")
There are some things that are realities in our world, with which we have to deal. When we call upon words to indicate days or months we can hardly escape the pagan or, at least, pre-Christian origin of such words.
On one hand we might acknowledge that one cannot use such words as: “Monday” without recognizing the “day of the moon”; or Wednesday without recognizing “Wodenor”; or “Thursday” without recognizing the “day of Thor”; or “Sunday” without acknowledging the “day of the sun.”
On the other hand, are we not simply designating days of the week without any worship or veneration to pagan gods? Most of us would say that it is the “other hand” that is true.
On one hand we might acknowledge that one cannot use such words as: “Monday” without recognizing the “day of the moon”; or Wednesday without recognizing “Wodenor”; or “Thursday” without recognizing the “day of Thor”; or “Sunday” without acknowledging the “day of the sun.”
On the other hand, are we not simply designating days of the week without any worship or veneration to pagan gods? Most of us would say that it is the “other hand” that is true.
By far the loudest objection to Sunday corporate worship that we hear coming from the seventh day Sabbath Christians is the charge of “Sun Worship.” This charge is so loud that any religousity remotely resembling association with the sun is said to be taboo for the Christian. So, then, it is argued that Christians cannot have “the day of the sun” (Sunday) as the fixed day of corporate worship. That is as nonsensical as it would be for us to say their worship on Saturday is embracing the god Saturn and astrology.
It most likely does not help the cause of Sunday worship, in the eyes of the Seventh Day crowd, when we offer Justin Martyr’s apology to Marcus Aurelius (AD 147-161) where he describes the corporate worship of the Christians as being on “the day of the sun.” When I quote Justin, I, myself, cringe. Not because it is offensive to me, but because I know how the uneducated are going to receive it.
Firstly, context is everything. Here the addressee is a pagan emperor who has a certain understanding of the importance of the sun and the day of the week assigned to it. Justin’s mission is to effect, in a favorable manner, the Emperor’s opinion of Christians. So, Justin writes: “We all gather on the day of the sun" (τῇ τοῦ ῾Ηλίου λεγομένη ἡμέρᾳ), “recalling both the creation of light and the resurrection.” Here is a common ground for Rome and Christians to meet: the day the Roman’s hold as important is also the Christians’ most holy day. A wise move on Justin’s part.
Secondly, this writer will ask: What is wrong with associating Christ with the sun, or the sun with Christ? Does not the Bible already do that very thing? Of course it does. The prophet Malachi references Jesus as the “Sun of Righteousness”: e.g. “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.” —Malachi 4:2
So, then, the Christian church has biblical authority (Malachi 4:2) to employ the sun as a symbol of the Son of God. Surely, since the Lord chose the “day of the sun” for the day of His resurrection there is no harm, and everything right, in associating the two. Justin, and the rest of Christianity, saw as, at least, one reason for Sunday worship being: “light” was created on the first day of the old creation week (Genesis 1:3-5). The Apostle John made this connection when he proclaimed Jesus as “The True Light” (John 1:4-9). The dove is seen to represent the Holy Spirit because of its presence at the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist; fire is a symbol of the Holy Spirit because of its presence in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost (AD 30); the Sun is a symbol of the Son of God because Malachi said so (Malachi 4:2).
The title of Jesus as “The Light of the World” (John 8:12) is a direct reference to the Sun which is the light of the physical world. For this reason Jesus’ birth is associated with the winter solstice (either the birth or the conception — most likely the latter) and His resurrection with the “day of the sun.”
So, Christian, you may meet for worship on Sunday (the day of the sun) and participate in Easter Sunrise Services and not concern yourself with worshipping the sun god, but assured you are worshipping the God for Whom the sun is but a powerful symbol.
Apostolically Speaking
☩☩ Jerry L Hayes
(Mar David Ignatius)
Apologia is a polemical work of apologetics in the defense of Christian sacred days. Our focus is Sunday
worship, Easter and Christmas. There has been little written in the line of a strong apologia for the observance to the traditional times. Bishop Hayes offers his work "Apologia, A Defense of Christian Sacred Days" to meet that need. This book establishes why Christians have observed Sunday as their primary day of worship right out of the gate. Also, within the pages of "Apologia" the reader will discover the true meaning of the terms 'Easter" and "Christmas". Both terms have come under sustained attack in recent years from an element that is antagonistic to traditional Christianity. Bishop Jerry L Hayes comes to the defense of historical Christianity in this work that is destined to become a classic. We know you will want to recommend "Apologia, A Defense of Christian Sacred Days" to all your friends and family.
Order your personal copy today from the link provided here:https://www.amazon.com/Apologia-Defense-Christian-Sacred-Days/dp/1099666589/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Apologia%2C+Hayes&qid=1558905902&s=books&sr=1-1
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT BY PURCHASING MY BOOKS FOR YOUR LIBRARY. -JLH
Read other discussions and essays by the Bishop on the subject of the traditional Christian holy days:
"The Sign of Jonah (Defending a Friday Crucification of Christ)"
http://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-sign-of-jonah.html
"Defending Easter"
http://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2019/04/defending-easter.html
The Christians' Day of Worship (Sunday)
https://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-christians-day-of-worship.html
Hello friends, I am a full time biblical researcher. I rely on freewill love offerings (from those of you who benefit from my work) and book sales for my support. Would you please consider leaving a small donation at the link provided here? Thank you for your support. -JLH
The title of Jesus as “The Light of the World” (John 8:12) is a direct reference to the Sun which is the light of the physical world. For this reason Jesus’ birth is associated with the winter solstice (either the birth or the conception — most likely the latter) and His resurrection with the “day of the sun.”
So, Christian, you may meet for worship on Sunday (the day of the sun) and participate in Easter Sunrise Services and not concern yourself with worshipping the sun god, but assured you are worshipping the God for Whom the sun is but a powerful symbol.
Apostolically Speaking
☩☩ Jerry L Hayes
(Mar David Ignatius)
Apologia is a polemical work of apologetics in the defense of Christian sacred days. Our focus is Sundayworship, Easter and Christmas. There has been little written in the line of a strong apologia for the observance to the traditional times. Bishop Hayes offers his work "Apologia, A Defense of Christian Sacred Days" to meet that need. This book establishes why Christians have observed Sunday as their primary day of worship right out of the gate. Also, within the pages of "Apologia" the reader will discover the true meaning of the terms 'Easter" and "Christmas". Both terms have come under sustained attack in recent years from an element that is antagonistic to traditional Christianity. Bishop Jerry L Hayes comes to the defense of historical Christianity in this work that is destined to become a classic. We know you will want to recommend "Apologia, A Defense of Christian Sacred Days" to all your friends and family.
Order your personal copy today from the link provided here:https://www.amazon.com/Apologia-Defense-Christian-Sacred-Days/dp/1099666589/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Apologia%2C+Hayes&qid=1558905902&s=books&sr=1-1
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT BY PURCHASING MY BOOKS FOR YOUR LIBRARY. -JLH
Be sure to listen and subscribe to the Bishop's Podcast: Apostolic Bishop, at:
Read other discussions and essays by the Bishop on the subject of the traditional Christian holy days:
"The Sign of Jonah (Defending a Friday Crucification of Christ)"
http://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-sign-of-jonah.html
"Defending Easter"
http://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2019/04/defending-easter.html
The Christians' Day of Worship (Sunday)
https://bishopjerrylhayes.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-christians-day-of-worship.html
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=4EXSWA2A47ARC
Dear friends, thousands of you read and benefit from our essays each month. If each of you invested only $1.00 each month, all of our financial needs would be met. Thank you for your support.
Dear friends, thousands of you read and benefit from our essays each month. If each of you invested only $1.00 each month, all of our financial needs would be met. Thank you for your support.
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